Every year when the temperature starts to drop in Monmouth County, NJ, deer are seen around highways and neighborhoods. As a motorist, it is your responsibility to be alert and drive safely to avoid collisions with these animals and other drivers. In this article, we discuss ways to prevent accidents with deer in our area and how you can save lives by following six simple steps on the roads.
In Monmouth and Ocean Counties alone, we see accidents every day around this time of year when deer start grazing around the highways and roads. Sometimes deer are hard to see, especially at night, so staying alert is one of the most important things you can do. According to 94.3 The Point, Colts Neck, Marlboro, Manalapan, & Freehold are some of the most dangerous places for driving from dawn ‘til dusk. Routes 18 & 33 are especially crowded with deer, and cause many of the issues all over Monmouth County. Other areas such as Ocean County, Jackson, Toms River, and Lacey are very common for accidents as well. Route 195 and the Garden State Parkway are some of the most deer populated areas in the County.
How to Stay Safe
- Stay Alert: While driving at night, make sure to stay alert to not only the road, but what is happening all around you. Deer usually don’t travel alone, so if you see one, there are likely more around.
- Slow Down: When you do see a deer, slow down. If you slow down, you will have a better chance of being able to avoid an accident. Deer are unpredictable. Speaking from experience, even slowing down will not always save you from an accident, but it will certainly give you a better chance of avoidance.
- Use High Beams: If you are alone on a dark road, use your high beams to give yourself a larger field of vision. This may make the difference in seeing a deer in time to stop and getting in an accident.
- Do Not Swerve to Avoid: If you find yourself in a scenario where a deer is in front of you, do not swerve to avoid. Swerving can put yourself and other motorists in serious danger. Many of the roads you may see deer on (Garden State Parkway, Route 18, Route 33) are crowded and you may find motorists all around you.
- Always Wear a Seatbelt: In the event that you get in an accident with an animal, your seatbelt could save your life. It is one of the most important safety tips for any motorist, and really could save a life.
- Call 911 if an Accident Occurs: Alerting the police and/or paramedics to an accident can help keep you safe and allow you or others to get medical attention if there are injuries.
Using these tips, you just may be able to prevent accidents in Monmouth and Ocean Counties and keep yourself out of harm’s way. Accidents happen, and here at Judd Shaw Injury Law™, we would like to prevent as many accidents as possible. While you are driving this holiday season, stay safe, stay alert, and stay healthy!
Did you know? Injuries sustained in an accident with a deer are covered under your New Jersey PIP policy. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to our attorneys at Judd Shaw Injury Law™ by dialing (732) 888-8888!
Content edited by personal injury attorney Judd Shaw. From the beginning, Judd established a set of Core Values laying out the pursuit for excellence in client service. He is a regular host of the Working The Wow podcast, with the belief that providing an exceptional client experience is just as important as delivering a quality service or product. You can find us in Red Bank and Tom‘s River, New Jersey.